Alward government bungles first test of so-called world class shale gas regulations

FREDERICTON-- “Premier Alward’s world-class regulations on shale gas mining have failed their first major test,” says Dr. Jean Louis Deveau, chair of the Fredericton Chapter of the Council of Canadians.

On February 7th, Corridor Resources registered with the government’s Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) registry a proposal to propane frack four exisiting wells in Penobsquis sometime in July. This is Phase III of a three-phase project. Corridor’s short announcement was published in one small newspaper on February 11, but apparently nowhere else. The word fracking did not appear in the newspaper ad.

Before 2010, shale gas companies were not required to register for an EIA until ready to drill and frack wells. “But public pressure forced the Alward government to change that, so they created a new category of EIA called a ‘phased EIA,’ which now requires companies to register each phase of a project for an EIA.”

“The problem is this ‘phased EIA’ process is not designed to require a company to submit a formal environmental impact assessment which would trigger public hearings on their proposal,” says Deveau.

Deveau points out that until February 21st, there was nothing in the government’s EIA registry to suggest that fracking would be taking place. Nor was Corridor's proposal initially available on-line. “We live in the information age,” says Stanley resident Lawrence Wuest, “but I had to physically drive to the Department of Environment to read about the details of Corridor's proposal.”

In addition, according to a floodplain map of New Brunswick, two of the wellpads scheduled for fracking by Corridor lie on the 20 year floodplain of the Kennebecasis River. Corridor’s EIA registration document, now available on its own website does not appear to take this into consideration. This is problematic as the new rules for industry released in February 2013 place restrictions on shale gas mining in floodplains.

Energy Minister Craig Leonard even said last September that shale gas mining in flood zone areas would have to go “through a full EIA." The phased EIA now underway will likely allow Corridor to frack without any of us ever knowing how the public and the waters of the Kennebecasis River are to be safeguarded in the event of flooding," said Deveau.

“This is a far cry from what New Brunswickers should be expecting from so called ‘world-class’ shale gas regulations,” says Deveau. “I encourage New Brunswickers to demand that a comprehensive environmental impact assessment be conducted on this fracking project.”

Action Alerts

The EOS Board of Directors has written an open letter to the Government of New Brunswick urging more climate action and is seeking support from other environmental organizations and members of the public who would like to sign a pledge. Responding to a recent report from the International Panel on Climate Change and New Brunswick’s commitment to emission reductions, EOS Eco-Energy (EOS) is encouraged that the Government has adopted the document, “Transitioning to a Low-Carbon Economy: New Brunswick’s Climate Change Action Plan”. This plan was created by and for New Brunswickers. However, the EOS Board of Directors strongly recommends that a goal-oriented timeline accompany the plan to track progress of those targets set out for 2030. And, in order that the plan be fully implemented, it is necessary that the Government promptly support a fair price-on-carbon program.

EOS welcomes the public and other environmental groups to pledge support for requesting the Government of New Brunswick actively pursue the implementation of its plan, “Transitioning to a Low-Carbon Economy: New Brunswick’s Climate Change Action Plan” by (1) prioritizing and creating a timeline for each action and by publicly reporting CO2 emissions reductions annually, starting with a report in 2020; and (2) by adopting a fair carbon pollution-pricing plan before 2020. Those who sign on also pledge to support a fair carbon pricing plan for New Brunswick residents, organizations, industry, and businesses.

Do you know an individual or organization that has demonstrated excellence in land conservation in our province? Nominations for the 2018 Lieutenant-Governor’s Award for Excellence in Land Conservation are open until Monday, October 1, 2018.

Successful nominees will have a significant impact on land conservation in New Brunswick through leadership, direct action, and long-term involvement as well as other significant contributions. Eligible nominees may include any individuals or organizations involved in stewardship, volunteerism, donation of lands, or building effective partnerships and must meet at least one of the following criteria:

An individual or entity who has contributed in a sustained manner over a significant period of time;

An individual or entity who has contributed significantly in a relatively short amount of time;

A donor of funds or property;

A volunteer, steward and/or member of the Nature Trust of New Brunswick;

A corporate or community partner of the Nature Trust of New Brunswick;

An individual who contributed significantly in the past and should be recognized posthumously.

About

The New Brunswick Environmental Network (NBEN), established in 1991, is a communication network that links together over a 100 non-profit environmental organizations.

The role of the NBEN is to improve communication and co-operation among environmental groups and between these groups, government and other sectors. The NBEN provides educational opportunities for its member and associate groups and encourages the growth of the environmental movement in New Brunswick. The NBEN is not an advocacy group and does not take positions on any issue.